A storm expected to bring 8 or more inches of snow to Gloucester and Cape Ann by the time it ends sometime Tuesday has led Mayor Carolyn Kirk to declare a snow emergency — and enact a street parking ban that goes with it — beginning tonight.
The ban, which goes into effect beginning at 8 p.m., is set to continue through 8 p.m. Tuesday as Department of Public crews and contracted plow drivers carry out efforts to clear the city’s streets.
The emergency and parking ban is the second of the winter, though the first such declaration, issued the night of Dec. 30, was recalled just 12 hours later when the snowstorm fell far short of weather forecasters’ predictions.
Gloucester and Cape Ann residents and businesses may not be so lucky this time. While higher amounts of accumulation are being predicted for Cape Cod and along Massachusetts’ South Shore, the coastline north of Boston is being eyed for 7 to 11 inches or snow or up to a foot of the white stuff. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning covering the time period from 5 p.m. today through 1 p.m. Tuesday. The weather advisory noted that snowfall could be heavy at times, bringing “slick roadways and poor visibility,” with winds holding at 20 miles per hour and gusts of up to 40 mph or higher.
“Violators of this emergency declaration are subject to ticketing and towing at the owners expense,” Kirk said in her prepared statement, which was issued shortly after 6 p.m. She added that residents may park in municipal parking lots overnight and throughout the emergency order.
“All residents are reminded that they are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks adjacent to their property,” the mayor said. “Your cooperation during this parking ban is necessary for efficient and safe snow removal efforts.”
Gloucester uses a priority list for both plowing its streets and in enforcing the parking ban by towing cars from illegal parking positions. Note that Eastern Avenue, Essex Avenue and Western Avenue are not included because they are parts of state highways.
Streets listed as top priority for the clearing of snow and parking ban enforcement are as follows:
Arthur Street
Bass Avenue
Beacon Street
Centennial Avenue
Chestnut Street
Cleveland Street
Commercial Street
Commonwealth Avenue
East Main Street
Elm Street
Exchange Street
Fair Street
Friend Street
Granite Street
Langsford Street
Leonard Street
Lexington Avenue
Main Street
Maplewood Avenue
Middle Street
Mount Vernon Street
Pine Street
Pleasant Street
Porter Street
Proctor Street
Prospect Street
Rocky Neck Avenue
Rogers Street
School Street
Short Street
Taylor Street
Warner Street
Washington Square
Washington Street
Wells Street
